Health unions still locked in talks over pay offer

Dominic Collis

Talks are still ongoing between the government and health unions in a bid to avert a strike by NHS workers.

Talks in London resumed on Monday between the GMB union and civil servants over a disputed pay offer.

NHS workers in Burnley joined their colleagues across the country in October by staging a one day strike.

If no agreement can be made strike action will take place on Thursday involving a 12 hour stoppage from 9am to 9pm.

The pay offer for NHS staff in England and Northern Ireland is 1% cash payment restricted to staff not eligible for incremental progression. This goes against the recommendation of the independent NHS Pay Review Body for a 1% consolidated pay rise for all staff.

Rehana Azam, GMB National Officer, said: “We are still in talks which is a positive sign.

“We are hoping we can reach a point where we can go to our members with a reasonable offer. If not, strike action remains on the cards.”